I name my pets, and then never use their real names again.  My degus were officially Orville and Wilbur.  Very quickly, they became Fluff-Butt and Nibbles based on their personalities.  Then Fluff and Nibs.  It was Orville (Nibbles/Nibbly/Nibs/Nib) that passed away.  Wilbur (Fluff-Butt/Fluffy/Fluff/Squeak-Butt/Captain Fluff) is still with us.  He's probably about 8 years old now.